to believe, that the interdict will soon be removed, and that this couple will soon go together to the meetings which the one had been forbidden by the other to approach.

From the same station our agent writes"The Pastor Mr. - who has recently visited us, conversed with those who desired to be admitted to the communion. Five, all formerly Roman Catholics, were received by him. The day of communion was most delightful. The impression during the participation of the Supper of our Lord, was such, that the most indifferent spectators were affected. And they said with tears in their eyes as we retired, 'Oh how happy, how happy you are!'

"Two persons, who had resolved to postpone their union with us at the tahle of our Saviour, were deeply moved; they came to us, and pressing our hands, exclaimed, 'Oh, when shall we be meet to enjoy this great privilege? Pray for us, that this work may be established, and rest alone on the rock of ages, that is Christ.' The minds of many around us are excited. Every day the friends of the Lord, who are increasing daily, are called to profess their faith, and many persons read our books. One of our colporteurs passed near a shepherd, who was tending his flock by the road side. He entered into conversation with him; he then spoke of divine subjects, and, before they separated, he asked him if he would wish to possess a copy of the New Testament. After some inquiries, the shepherd consented to be a purchaser. Some time after, the colporteur passed through the same district, and again met with the shepherd.

What was his joy on learning that, since he had possessed the New Testament he had not ceased from reading it. The 10th chapter of John's gospel had especially and deeply affected him. The comparison of the Saviour with one of his own vocation charmed and delighted him; his heart was engrossed by the subject, more than any other portion of the Testament. It made him comprehend the greatness of the Redeemer's love. happiness became so great and so lively, his soul was so full and overflowing, that he could not but communicate his feelings and his knowledge to others. He goes now from house to house, to read the 10th chapter of John's gospel, which has given him such new emotions and affections."

His

A minister who labours for the Society has recently occupied a station that he knew several years ago. He happened to be present when the late Mr. Pyl addressed there only seven persons, and took occasion from the circumstance to speak of the conversion of the woman of Samaria, who was the only hearer of our Saviour. "At a later period," says he," I visited this place again, and there were about twenty persons present; but not

VOL. XXI.

one of these knew anything of Jesus Christ, or of the promise of eternal life through Him. Think, then, what must be the feelings of my heart on finding here now a congregation of more than double that number, and at least twelve persons who have been turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God? May I not be permitted to say to the Evangelical Society and to all its friends, If your labour and expenditure have no other results, after ten years' anxiety, but the fruits that appear here, they are more than enough to compensate all your trouble, and all your sacrifices. What, indeed, are a few hundreds of thousands of francs compared with the value of twelve immortal souls ?'

"But besides this, there is another result, which, though less apparent now, is not less important, if you consider the fruit you may expect. I refer to the two schools established here, in which about 166 children of both sexes receive elementary and religious instruction. The seeds of faith and life deposited in their young minds and carried into the bosom of their families and of society, are germs that we may hope grace will ripen and develope, and thus produce a fresh proof that the work of faith cannot be in vain in the Lord."

Rev. THOS. JAMES, Hon. Sec.
7, Blomfield-st. Finsbury.

MADAGASCAR.

Translation of a letter from Rasoamaka (Joseph) and Rafaravavy to Mrs. Johns.. Ampasindava Nosimitsiho, August 4, 1842.

DEAR MOTHER IN THE GOSPEL,-We write these few lines to you to tell you that we are quite well, and that we are now full of joy on account of the blessing of God, for he has indeed directed our path; for when Ratsimiharo, the chief, saw us, he rejoiced exceedingly, and received us very kindly, and he promises to build us a large school-room, as soon as his brother and the men that are with him return from the mainland; and the chief has given us every assurance of his kindness and protection, and told us that he would consider us as his brother and sister. When he eats, he calls us to eat with him; and when he sees us happy, he seems happy also. We cannot

write you a long letter, as the ship "Mary Lyon" is about to leave, and we have been very busy in getting our things on shore, &c. Please to tell all the Malagasy at Mauritius that we are very well and happy, and tell them that in five days after our departure from Mauritius we arrived at this island; tell them that we do not forget them in our prayers, and we hope they will not forget us; we have no time to write to them

U

now, nor can we mention their names, but let these few words suffice instead of a letter to each individual. We shall write to you by the next opportunity we have, and will give you an account of our success, and will tell you all we shall see and hear. Do not forget us, dear friend, in your prayers, but remember us; and continue to pray for us as you used to do-saith your children in the gospel,

RAFARAVAVY AND JOSEph.

Extracts of a letter from David Ratsavahomba to a friend at Walthamstow, dated Beau Manguier, Mauritius, 22nd Dec., 1842.

A letter from the Christians about three weeks ago mentions, that the queen of Madagascar had killed three of the twelve native teachers, who formerly were under the missionaries' instruction in King Radama's time; they cut them in pieces, and afterwards burnt them. The cause I dare say you will hear, because the letter has been sent to Mr. Freeman.

With regard to the duty I have to engage in in spreading the gospel of God's son here; since I left Grand Bay for Mr. Telfair's estate, I have every evening to teach those who like to learn, in the place where they are, and sometimes in the place where I live, and there I find it more convenient to pray with them; and every evening before that, I go to visit others who do not learn, and talk to them; and every Sunday, as the Betsimisarakas do not know French, they seem not to like to go to the school, so I go to them to read and pray with them; and we have several of them who come from another place, though some of them go out to see their companions.

Mr. Telfair was so kind, and provided a house for me at his estate; and it is just finished; and he told me to take care not to go in unless it gets quite dry, and I do not know how I will get on when I shall enter into it. Some time ago I went to Port Louis, and a Betsimisaraka lahy, or man and woman, who have attended the Malagasy service on Sundays, wished to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, and confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who taketh away the sins of the world; and they promised to change from the customs of their forefathers, and will live as Christians who live in the fear of God. They were baptized in the chapel by the Rev. Mr. Le Brun on Dec. 17, 1842; and at the same time they made a marriage as Christians marry, till life is ended. I think it was the first time in Mauritius for the Malagasy.

Mr. Johns has arrived on Dec. 23rd, and he is tolerably well. He says that he expected to rescue some Christians, but has

not been able to do so. There is a Malagasy Christian just come to the Mauritius from Madagascar, called Ravita. Poor Simeon's wife, and other Christians, went down to Tamatave, in order to get to the Mauritius; when they arrived there, the captain said that he wished to take them on board, but there was no possibility to get to the vessel except they could swim, because the shore was watched very much night and day; so they were obliged to go back: Ravita only could swim, and he was preserved by the providence of God.

I hope you will write to us when you hear from Mr. Freeman. I trust he will return home in safety. Please give my respects to Mrs. Freeman and her daughters.

I hope our kind friends at Walthamstow are well, and that you are well and happy. How are Mr. and Miss M. H.; tell them, if you please, that I do not forget them or you; I often pray for you.

Before sending this letter, through the blessing of our heavenly Father, we have the pleasure to see a new year in health and strength.

2nd Jan., 1843.

SOUTH SEAS.

PROTECTION OF POLYNESIA.

MR. EDITOR,-Tahiti and the neighbouring isles, commonly called the South Sea Islands are spots rendered interesting and even dear to the Christian, the Philanthropist, and the Briton. In these islands, Christianity has gained a pure and noble triumph, one of the very greatest or most admirable of all her triumphs from the apostolic age to our own. Among these islanders lately sunk in universal ignorance, groveling idolatry, savage cruelty, disgusting sensuality, and deep misery,-there civilization and the arts of peace, following in the path of Christianity, have taken root, have grown up, and have borne fruit that has gladdened the very heart of philanthropy. The great moral and mental change upon these islanders has been wrought through the instrumentality of British protestant missionaries, men who, leaving the comforts of home, went to strange isles and barbarous tribes, to promote the eternal and temporal good of the islanders, having the book of God for their guide, the grace of God for their support, and love to God and man for their prompting principle. Christian, Philanthropist, Briton,-pray, and speak, and act for Polynesia! Of the glorious example there given of Christian influence and missionary utility, Dr. Chalmers declared, "If philosophy had ever achieved such a triumph. . . it would have been an event blown by the trumpet of fame throughout the world, and of which we should never have heard the last."

Alas! A cloud and a storm appear now to hover over these interesting and improving islands. I allude to what I am sorry to be compelled to term the unchristian, illiberal, and cruel conduct of the French naval force at Tahiti and elsewhere. According to the accounts, the French carried their point at Tahiti, through fraud and forceaccompanied by sensuality. The French admiral complained to the Tahitian queen of injuries that he could not prove! demanded damages that she could not pay !! and formally declared that if she did not either pay the damages, or sign away the real sovereignty to France, within twenty-four hours, (she then hourly expecting her confinement,) he would open his fire, and destroy the whole place!!! How the affair reminds one of the fable of the Wolf and the Lamb!

We have to remember, however, that France was not alone in this act of wilful aggression on a powerless state, but was probably incited by the wily, sectarian, and bigotedly proselytizing spirit of Rome. The proceeding was Romish as well as French; Rome being the head, and France the hand; Rome designing, and France effecting; Rome being the prime mover, and France the willing agent. The lamentable condition of Tahiti exemplifies the hatred of Popery to pure Protestantism. There has been, not fair and generous rivalry, but a dishonourable effort to promote the dominion of the "Man of Sin," an effort made with fraud and force, and tending to persecution.

If Great Britain did really undertake the protectorate of the isles, (as many affirm, and as I incline to think,) she is clearly bound by national honour and international law, to interfere, to protect their political independence, their commercial freedom, and their religious liberty, and to hinder Rome and France from domineering and tyrannizing over them.

But even if Great Britain did not undertake (either formally or virtually) to be their protector, and therefore even if she were not bound by national faith and international justice, to protect and defend them, she still ought to remonstrate with, or to appeal to France, on the ground of international equity, and as acting on behalf of Christianity, civilization, and political good; or for the sake of “ Peace, Liberty, Knowledge, Holiness, and Happiness." And as it appears that intervention availed to preserve the Sandwich Islands from Papal and French domination, truly the decided interference of Great Britain would avail to save Tahiti and the other isles from the same twofold evil.

If England should decline the exclusive protectorate of these interesting islands, she could protect them in conjunction with other powers. Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Prussia would surely join her in the good work. America, the eldest daughter of

So

England, America would probably join. So probably would Russia. So perhaps might Austria, Spain, and Portugal. possibly might even France, if her good sense and good feeling were duly appealed to. God grant that France may, in the spirit of equity, generosity, and political virtue,-God grant that France may join England and other friendly powers, in this work, great, good, and glorious!

The ground of this international union, the principle of the joint protection of Polynesia, should be that of international equality, or the equal right of all the powers to commercial and other intercourse with the protected isles. No power should have any exclusive advantage, the powers collectively guaranteeing to the isles, religious liberty, commercial freedom, and political independence. What a happy result! ""Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. "

Few words on the political importance of Polynesia. Note three things. 1st. Soil and productions. The extent of soil on any one island is indeed small; but that of all the islands altogether is very considerable. The productions are coral, cotton, silk, fruits, corn, coffee, sugar, cattle, fish, oil, drugs, gum, minerals, rice, spices, &c. 2nd. Geographical position. This is favourable to commerce with South America, North America, China, the rest of eastern Asia, the Asian isles, New Holland, New Zealand, and so on. The grand communication across the isthmus of Panama will add to the importance of the grographical position. 3rd. Long line of coast and harThis advantage would render the islands a nursery for seamen.

bours.

I am, Sir, &c.

JOHN ROGERS, (Author of " Anti-Popery.")

London, April 3, 1843.

CHINA.

OPIUM SMUGGLERS.

To the Editor of " The Friend of China." Hong Kong, 28th Oct. 1842. SIR, I quite concur in your remarks as to the suppression of piracy, but I do not think it possible to be done, if even the best exertions of our Government were used, whilst all around us there is such a system of contraband trade going on.

Not a piratical boat which has been captured, but that the crew declared they were only opium smugglers, and many referred to the General Wood and other opium vessels in proof of the truth of their assertions. Last week a native craft was permitted to depart on this plea, although no doubt existed in the minds of many who visited her as to her ordinary occupation.

Would you take the trouble to inquire,

Mr. Editor, you would find there is hardly a pirate who is not, one way or other, connected with the opium trade. It is known there are now lying at Whampoa, sundry craft, which a long time past have been notorious pirates. Under the protection of the guns of the English smugglers there, they defy the local authorities.

It is much to be wished that as early as possible, the Bogue forts should be rebuilt, and that our authorities should come to an understanding with the Chinese to co-operate in the suppression of the present wretched state of things.

I am glad to see that the people of England are beginning to see the odiousness of the present illicit trade in opium. It is undeniable that its existence under present regulations, or rather non-regulations, is in the greatest degree detrimental to the best interests of the China trade.

The same enlightened morality which denounced the slave trade, and emancipated the negroes, will compel the India Government to have nought to do with the accursed thing. The movement at home has begun, and you, Mr. Editor, ought to aid it to the best of your ability, and to the credit of the Government whose organ you are.

Indignant remonstrances will be soon heard with a voice of thunder; as it is incontestible that no trade, excepting only the nefarious slave trade, ever surpassed that in opium, in hideous atrocity and wide-spread demoralization. The mere recital of a few authentic details, would so much provoke public indignation, that the growth of opium by the Indian Government would at once be suppressed. No Government could support so detestable a system as now exists, if general attention be drawn thereto.

Despairing of the suppression of its use, you are right in urging its immediate legalization as the lesser evil. The justly national expectations of finding in China a greatly extended outlet for our manufactures will be frustrated, if Sir Henry Pottinger does not insist on a moderate duty being fixed on opium.

I have spoken rather strongly, but believe me a little inquiry on your part will convince you I have spoken truly. Piracy and smuggling are twins in China, if not perfectly identical monsters.

upon the Chinese throughout the whole of the celestial empire. It is of the highest importance that the authorities and people of China should be impressed, from the beginning, with the fact, that the people of this country detest slavery, injustice, and oppression, in all their forms; and are intensely desirous that the blessings they themselves enjoy should be participated by the whole human race.

The following extract is from the Friend of China, and Hong Kong Gazette, which has been forwarded to us, by some unknown hand, for which we feel extremely obliged :

"We have before pointed out the incompatibility of the existence of slavery in a British Colony. It exists here, in one of its most hideous forms, if it be true, that female children have been kidnapped at Canton, and from the villages adjacent, brought to our island, and sold to infamy. We dare not trust ourselves to speak on this subject; for the honour of our country, we would wish to add, but cannot, that only natives are implicated in this detestable traffic.

"Without invoking the grave consideration and special interposition of the Imperial Legislature,' or awaiting its decision, we would fain hope his Excellency the Plenipotentiary will deem it his bounden duty, or rather his high privilege, to declare, by proclamation, that a slave, by putting his foot on our island becomes free, henceforth here, man cannot hold property in his fellow man.

"In justice to all who, under the faith of our governing according to Chinese usage, may have removed hither with their slaves, we would permit their removal. If, however, such removal did not take place within a stipulated time, all such remaining should be declared free. We affirm a policy, such as we have pointed out, would be heartily approved by the Government and people at home, who, to the glory of our land, are heart and soul agreed on the question of slavery."-Hong Kong, November 3, 1842.

If, as is intimated in the foregoing extract, some of our own countrymen are implicated in the nefarious transactions alluded to, they have been guilty of felony, and should be prosecuted forthwith. The same remark applies to Chinamen and others. Hong Kong being a British Colony, the introduction of slaves therein, the purchase and sale of human beings, for any purpose whatever, by any parties, is piracy and felony, and may be dealt with accordingly.

It is to us a most cheering circumstance, that the first journal established at Hong Kong should be so thoroughly alive to all that gives dignity and honour to our native land. Never did we feel the value of the sound portion of the British press, in the distant possessions of the Crown, more than in the present instance.